Top 50: Players in the world

GMS Academy member Joe Roberts lists his top 50 players in the world. Do you agree?

50-Wayne Rooney

Rooney had a poor 2012/13 by his standards but still sneaks on to the top 50 list.

49-Michael Carrick

Carrick surprised a few people last year, he was one of Man United's best players and helped them to the league title. He deserved his nomination for the PFA player of the year award.

48-Leighton Baines

Baines is one of Everton's best ever players and showed that again last season. Moyes will definitely want him in a United shirt next season.

47-Pablo Zabaleta

Man City underperformed last season but Zabaleta was top quality.

46-Santi Cazorla

Cazorla stepped up to the Premier League and was one of Arsenal's best players with 12 goals and 13 assists.

45-Mats Hummels

Hummels was solid at the back for Dortmund and helped them to the Champions League final.

44-Stephan El Shaarawy

El Shaarawy was one of the best young players in Serie A last season and showed some of his talent at the Confederations Cup.

43-Fernando Torres

Torres finished the season very strongly for Chelsea but still hasn't lived up to his £50 million transfer fee. Next season, don't be surprised to see him back in form for Chelsea next season.

42-Philipp Lahm

The whole Bayern team were outstanding last season and Lahm's experience helped them to their first ever treble.

41-Gerard Pique

Pique didn't have an amazing season for Barcelona but was solid enough to make it to 41st on this list.

40-Mario Balotelli

Since his move to AC Milan Balotelli has become a much better player, he showed this for Italy in the Confederations Cup as well, he seems to have calmed down a bit as well. Milan will depend on him if they are going to challenge for the Serie A title next season.

39-Mario Mandzukic

Mandzukic stepped in for the injured Mario Gomez at the start of the season and was amazing, he kept his place in the starting XI and finished the season with a goal in the Champions League final.

38-Antonio Di Natale

Di Natale is very underrated, maybe because he is not playing for a Champions League club. His 23 Serie A goals last season get him to 38th.

37-Robert Weidenfeller

Weidenfeller was solid for Dortmund last season, his Champions League final performance alone was enough to get him on this list.

36-Jerome Boateng

Boateng looks like a really promising centre back, his pace and strength makes it hard for attackers.

35-Arturo Vidal

Vidal was top notch for Juventus last season and was one of their best outfield players.

34-Thiago Silva

Silva remains the best centre back in Ligue 1, he would be higher but is not playing in one of the big leagues.

33-Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger will never lose the ball, he has been at the top of his game for so long and is one of the most consistent players in the world.

32-David Alaba

There are many Bayern players on this list, for obvious reasons, At 21, the Austrian could become something very special.

31-Jan Vertonghen

Vertonghen was the best defender in the Premier League last season and scored a handful of goals as well. His injury in a friendly against Sunderland on Thursday will be a big worry for Spurs.

30-Petr Cech

Cech is still one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and showed it last year with some unbelievable saves. His FA Cup semi-final save from Javier Hernandez's header was truly sensational.

29-Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea are very lucky to have this gem, but they don't yet need him so another season on loan at Atletico Madrid where he was world class last season.

28-Jesus Navas

Navas is fast. Unbelievably fast, he is impossible for defenders to deal with and could be a vital player for Man City next season.

27-Jordi Alba

Alba had another exceptional season, the young left back loves to bomb forward and scored two goals in one match for Spain!

26-Gianluigi Buffon

Buffon is still class and made some top saves to help Juventus to the title last season.

25-Dante

Dante is very underrated and is in my opinion the best centre back in the Bundesliga.

24-Xabi Alonso

Liverpool must really regret selling Alonso to Real Madrid because since he has joined he has been top quality. He will need to step up his game again next season after Madrid signed Asier Illarramendi for £34 million.

23-Neymar

Neymar is a very exciting player, he would be higher but hasn't proved himself in Europe yet. Could become the best player in the world, some are claiming he already is.

22-Mario Gotze

Gotze was brilliant for Dortmund last season and it is no surprise he has been snapped up by Bayern - I think he may become an untouchable midfielder for them.

20-Luis Suarez

Suarez may be a childish player but he has ability, his 30 goals for Liverpool were the only reason they achieved and adequate league position last season. Arsenal will be desperate to get the striker after their £40,000,001 bid.

19-Marco Reus

Reus is young and very talented he can also play left wing and centre forward so is a player any club would want.

18-Iker Casillas

Casillas is still the best goalie in the world and Carlo Ancelotti will be very happy to have him.

17-Radamel Falcao

Falcao was lethal for Atletico Madrid and is almost worth his £51 million transfer fee, don't expect to see much of him next season though, he has taken a big step down to Monaco.

16-Andrea Barzagli

Barzagli was one of the main reasons for Juventus' success last season. He was so solid that he is the second highest defender on the list.

15-Juan Mata

I find it unbelievable that Mourinho wants to sell Mata - he is a top player and was one of the best in the Premier League last season. If he does stay Chelsea could be a strong force.

14-Eden Hazard

Hazard has been a great signing for Chelsea, you know he must be good because since he's left Lille they've been awful.

13-Sergio Ramos

Apart from his penalties every part of Ramos' game is good. Fast centre backs are rare and this is why Ramos is worth so much to Real Madrid.

12-Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic's goal against England was one of the best I've seen, he was as good for PSG as well leading them to the Ligue 1 title. But with the arrival of Edinson Cavani, could he be on his way again.

11-Arjen Robben

If he passed the ball, Robben would be up there with Messi and Ronaldo, he's still so good though. Very good!

10-Xavi Hernandez

Xavi's passing is just extraordinary, he can pick out a player from anywhere, that's why he's in the top ten.

9-Andres Iniesta

Iniesta showed last season he's not just a passer, he's got skill and can score goals as well.

8-Robert Lewandowski

His four goals against Real Madrid put me in no doubt that this guy is special, Dortmund need to keep hold of him.

7-Franck Ribery

Unbelievably Ribery still isn't the highest Bayern player on this list, this season he has destroyed defences and put in some lethal crosses for Mandzukic.

6-Edinson Cavani

Cavani will be the best striker in Ligue 1 next season, but I still believe a Premier League move would of been a better choice, there he would become an even more accomplished player.

5-Robin Van Persie

I didn't think Van Persie would be able to top his overall performance for Arsenal in 2011/12. But he did. If it wasn't for a goal drought half way through the season he might even be higher.

4-Gareth Bale

If Real Madrid pay £80 million for Bale I will be surprised, but there is no doubt be he is not far off Cristiano Ronaldo's standard and could become just as good.

3-Thomas Muller

This may surprise you because Muller isn't often put in the top three best players in the world. However, i believe Muller's Bayern performances last season were better than any other midfielder in the world, that's why he is is here.

2-Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has not really surprised anyone this season, he doesn't really have any more surprising to do. He is and always will be second best to Messi, but he is such a good player. He is fast, strong and has a lethal shot on him. If he does decide to go back to Manchester he will rock the Premier League again.

1-Lionel Messi

Messi unsurprisingly tops this list, he remains the best player in the world, you wouldn't think Messi could improve anymore but he has and seems a bit stronger as well. Some people are saying he is no longer the world's top player after not performing against Bayern in the Champions League semis - but that was down to injury and nothing else.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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